Mockery echoed through the Adsson Dojo yard.
"Kairo, maybe if you stare at the wooden dummy hard enough, it'll sprout arms and clap for you!" one of the boys barked, the others laughing in cruel harmony.
Kairo wiped the sweat off his brow, pretending the words didn't sting. He had become good at ignoring them. What else could he do? Eighteen, still no magic, no talent—barely holding a wooden sword the right way. The rest of the dojo students had already unlocked their basic skills, most wielding beginner spells or intermediate martial arts.
Kairo had... nothing.
He was the orphan boy. The quiet one. The anomaly.
Then, out of nowhere, a voice rang out in his mind—not loud, but clear and smug.
> "Perfect timing," said the voice with a slight chuckle, "Ten years of calculations, rewrites, and frustration—and finally, I've cracked it."
Kairo froze. His eyes darted around.
> "No need to panic, little God King. It's me—Evalof. And I just finished upgrading your system."
Before Kairo could respond, something clicked in his mind. His vision flickered—and in an instant, a translucent screen hovered before him.
---
[SYSTEM ONLINE]
Version 2.1 – Personal Upgrade Completed
Welcome, Kairo. Access Granted.
---
Kairo blinked.
"What... is this?" he whispered.
Evalof hummed thoughtfully.
> "A long-overdue gift. Unlike others, you don't just get random system-generated abilities. I tailor yours. You defeat an enemy? I unlock new features. You push yourself? I reward you directly. Missions, shops, training guidance—all exclusive to you."
Kairo gaped as lines of data and symbols danced across the floating screen.
Attributes
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Defense: 2
Vitality: 5
Perception: 6
Stamina: 7
Mana: Locked
Charm: 2
"Why is mana locked?" he asked silently.
> "Veiled for now. You're not ready for that part of yourself—yet."
[NEW FUNCTION UNLOCKED: DAILY MISSIONS]
Do 100 Push-ups [0/100]
Reward: +1 Strength | Basic Fist Style (Lv. 1)
Jog 200 Meters [0/200]
Reward: +1 Agility | +1 Stamina
> "Oh, and did I mention? I added a shop. You can use EXP to buy exclusive items. Weapons, elixirs, martial scrolls. All yours."
[Mystic Shop Available]
EXP: 0
Inventory: Empty
Kairo's heart thumped. This... this was his. Something no one else had. Not even the best hunters in the Federation.
And just like that, his focus returned to the present. His bully—Kurt, the top disciple of Adsson Dojo—was now walking toward him.
"Hey loser. Daydreaming again?" Kurt smirked, cracking his knuckles.
Kairo stayed calm. Inside, his mind was racing.
> "Want your first EXP?" Evalof asked.
> "Yes."
> "Then win."
---
[NEW MISSION TRIGGERED: Defeat Enemy Target]
Target: Kurt of Adsson Dojo
Reward: +50 EXP | Minor Vitality Elixir | Move: Iron Body Guard Stance (Lv. 1)
Kurt lunged with a wooden sword. Kairo ducked, surprising even himself. His body moved a bit faster than normal—maybe perception... maybe instinct.
He took the hit on his shoulder but rolled with it.
The other students began to crowd around.
Kurt raised his sword again, laughing. "I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want to kill the dojo mascot."
Kairo stepped forward. And punched.
It wasn't perfect—but it landed. Square in the gut.
Kurt stumbled. Shock flashed in his eyes. He rushed in again, furious. But Kairo dodged, then swept his leg low. Kurt fell, wheezing.
Silence.
[MISSION COMPLETE]
+50 EXP Gained
Vitality Elixir Acquired
Iron Body Guard Stance (Lv. 1) Learned
Everyone stared.
Kairo stood, still breathing hard.
> "See?" Evalof whispered, pleased. "You don't need talent. You have me."
Kairo felt something burn in his chest—a flicker of purpose.
And for the first time since his arrival at Adsson, he didn't feel empty.
He felt unstoppable.